Apparatus for injecting graphite into engines



May 26, Q R RQLEN APPARATUS FOR INJECTING GRAPHITE INTO ENGINES FiledOct. 17, 1934 iimwi/b v Car/H- 220/527 WW Patented May 26, 1936 rriceAPPARATUS FOR INJECTING GRAPHITE INTO ENGINES Carl R. Rolen, Waukesha,Wis.

Application October 17, 1934, Serial No. 748,639

21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for injectinggraphite into engines, and in its general aspect is similar to theinvention of the co-pending application of Carl R. Rolen, Serial No.699,309, filed November 23, 1933.

As in the aforesaid application, it is a general object of thisinvention to provide an apparatus for injecting dry powdered graphitedirectly into the combustion chamber of an internal com- 1Q bustionengine.

* The success of an apparatus of this type depends considerably upon theregulation of the flow of powdered graphite into the engine. Obviously,it is undesirable to carry too great an 15 amount of the graphite intothe engine, but on the other hand, to be at all effective, there must bea continuous uniform flow.

In the aforesaid application, the flow of graphite into the engine wasregulated by interposing 20 a felt barrier in its path so tlmt thegraphite had to be carried through the interstices of the felt, makingit possible to govern the flow by determining the degree of compressionon and consequently the density of the felt barrier.

25 In the present inventicn, a felt or other suit able fibrous barrier.is again employed to obtain the desired control of the flow of graphiteinto the engine, but in this instance, the graphite does not passthrough the felt. Only the air utilized to carry the graphite into theengine passes through the felt barrier.

With this improved mode of operation in view, it is a further object ofthis invention to provide a construction in which a felt barrier is sodisposed with respect to the supply of powdered graphite that air drawnthrough the barrier by engine suction picks up the graphite and carriesit along in suspension into the engine combustion chamber.

40 Another object of this invention is to so construct the felt barrieras to insure uniformity of feed as the supply of powdered graphite decreases.

Another object of this invention is to provide 45 a barrier so shapedand constructed that its density, and consequently the rate of air flowtherethrough, may be readily adjusted merely by forcing the barrierfurther into the aperture it closes.

50 A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatusof the character described which is inexpensive and so constructed as tobe readily adapted to difierent internal combustion engines and easilyapplied thereto.

55 With the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafterdescribed and more particularlydefined by the appended claims, it beingunder- 5 stood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to thebest modes I have so far devised for the practical application of theprinciples thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of an internal combustionengine showing the application of this invention thereto; and

Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the apparatus with parts brokenaway and in section.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the numeral5 designates the intake manifold of a combustion engine. Connected tothe manifold. is a carburetor 6 shown in the present instance as of thedowndraft type and arranged to take in air through 5 an air cleaner 1.In the conventional construction the discharge throat B of the aircleaner is fitted directly to the air inlet 9 of the carburetor, beingtelescoped thereover.

To mount the apparatus. of the invention 0 which is indicated generallyby the numeral ID,

a sleeve I I is interposed between the outlet throat 8 of the aircleaner and the air inlet 9 of the carburetor, the upper and lower endsof the sleeve H being arranged to be telescoped respectively within thethroat 8 and over the carburetor inlet 9. In this manner, theapplication of the apparatus to the engine is easily effected entirelywithout necessitating any change in the construction of the engine partsas the air cleaner 4,0 1 is readily detachable from the carburetor.

The apparatus per se which as stated is indicated by the numeral Ill,consists of an upright cylindrical receptacle or container l2 open atits top and provided with a constricted throat I3 at its bottom. Anannular flange M encircles the open top to provide a seat for a gasketl5 interposed between it and a removable cover It.

Near its top the receptacle has an outlet opening in which a tube I? isfixed. The tube extends diametrically across the interior of thereceptacle and projects laterally therefrom to extend into anddiametrically across the interior of the sleeve H. The opposite ends ofthe tube I1 are closed by the adjacent Walls of the receptacle I2 andthe sleeve II respectively, which, to hold the tube against shifting,have tilts I 8 formed therein and entering the ends of the tube.

The apertured walls of the receptacle l2 and the sleeve H through whichthe tube passes are welded or otherwise secured to the tube as at H). Inthis manner, the receptacle l2 and the sleeve I l are securely andrigidly connected.

The tube I! also affords communication between the cylinder and thesleeve, as it has an outlet opening 20 disposed within the sleeve H,which when the apparatus is used with a downdraft carburetor pointsdownwardly toward the carburetor, and an inlet port 25 The inlet port 2|for the purpose of adjusting the apparatus to different types ofinternal combustion engines, is provided by a removable nozzle or jet 22having an orifice of predetermined size.

Extending upwardly through the center of the receptacle l2 and closingthe constricted throat l3 at the bottom thereof is a felt stick 23. Thisfelt stick affords a fibrous barrier through which air is drawn into thereceptacle by the effect of partial vacuum established therein by enginesuction. Obviously, the density of the felt barrier at the constrictedthroat l3 determines the rate of air-flow into the cylinder, and byvirtue of its tapered shape as shown, it is possible merely by forcingthe stick further into the constricted throat to further compress thesame and determine its degree of density.

As shown, the stick extends up through the center of the supply ofpowdered graphite contained within the receptacle and deposited thereinthrough the open top upon removal of the cover l6, so that as the airpasses from the felt stick near the top of the supply of powderedgraphite, it carries particles of graphite with it to convey them intothe air stream leading to the carburetor and thence into the combustionchamber of the engine.

When the receptacle is full and the graphite particles have only a shortdistance to travel to reach the inlet port 2|, the velocity of theconveying air current is low because of the long distance the air musttravel through the felt stick before it reaches the upper layer ofpowdered material and becomes effective to lift the particles. As thesupply of graphite diminishes and the distance the particles must becarriedto reach the inlet port 2! increases, the velocity of the air andconsequently its effectiveness for carrying the powdered'material up tothe inlet port 2! is increased by virtue of the lesser distance it musttravel through the felt stick. Hence, it will be seen that the devicecompensates itself and insures uniformity in the amount of graphite fedto the engine.

To hold the upper end of the felt stick in position, it is preferablyhooked as at 24, to an eyebolt 25 mounted on the tube I1 and projectingthrough the cover 25 to have a nut 26 threaded thereon. As shown, thecover It is held down by screwing the nut onto the eyebolt 25.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, thatthis invention affords a novel device for injecting dry powderedgraphite directly into the combustion chamber of an internal combustionengine, and that in metering or regulating the flow of air which isemployed to carry the graphite into the engine, in the manner described,an exceptionally fine control of the flow of graphite into the engine isobtained. Also, by virtue of the fact that only air passes through thefelt barrier, there is no possibility of its becoming clogged withgraphite so that the device may be used indefinitely withoutnecessitating replacement of the felt stick. 5

What I claim'as my invention is:

1. In combination with a duct adapted to be subjected to the influenceof vacuum to cause air flow therethrough, a container for dry powderedmaterial which it is desired to inject into said 10 duct, means tocommunicate said container with said duct, and a fibrous barrier closingan air inlet to the container through the interstices of which air isdrawn into the container by the effect of vacuum in said duct, saidfibrous barrier being 15 so arranged with respect to the dry powderedmaterial within the container'that air passing therethrough picks up andcarries the powdered material into said duct.

2. In combination with a duct adapted to be 20 subjected to theinfluence of vacuum to cause an air-flow therethrough, an enclosurecommunicated with said duct and having an opening affording an air inletto the enclosure and said duct, said enclosure being adapted to containdry 25 powdered material to be carried into said duct by the air-flow,and a fibrous barrier closing said air inlet to govern the rate of flowinto the enclosure and consequently determine the amount of powderedmaterial conveyed into said duct. 30

3. A device for supplying finely powdered material in small quantitiescomprising a container to hold a supply of the powdered material, meanswhereby a flow of air may be induced through the container to carryparticles of the powdered 35 material from the container, and a fibrousbarrier through the interstices of which the air must pass to enter thecontainer whereby the flow of air through the container and consequentlythe amount of material carried therefrom is deter- 40 mined by thedensity of the barrier.

4. In combination with a passage adapted to be subjected to the effectof vacuum to cause air flow therethrough, a container to hold a supplyof dry powdered material which it is desired to inject into the passage,means to communicate said container with said passage so that the effectof vacuum therein induces a fiow of air through the container to carrysmall particles of powdered material into the passage, and. a fibrousbarrier through the interstices of which air must pass to enter thecontainer, whereby the flow of air and consequently the volume ofpowdered material carried into the passage is determined by the densityof the barrier.

5. A device for supplying finely powdered material in small quantitiescomprising a container to hold a supply of the powdered material, saidcontainer having an air inlet and an outlet, means associated with theoutlet whereby a flow of air may be induced through the container tocarry the powdered material from the container through said outlet, anda fibrous barrier closing the inlet so that the air entering thecontainer must pass through the interstices of said fibrous barrier,whereby the flow of air through the container and the volume of powderedmaterial carried therefrom is determined by the density of the barrier.

6. A device for supplying finely powdered material in small quantities,comprising a container to hold a supply of the powdered material, saidcontainer having an inlet and. an outlet, means associated with theoutlet whereby a flow of air may be induced through the container tocarry powdered material from the container throu'gh said outlet to apoint of use, and a fibrousmember closing the inlet andproj'ecting-finto-the powdered contents of the container toregulate" theflow of air into the container and determine the'amount of powderedmaterial carried from" the container by the how of air therethrough;

7. In combination with an enclosureadapted' to hold a supply of drypowdered material which it is intended to convey from the'enclosure pneumatically, means associated with the container whereby a flow of air maybein'duced'through the container to pneumatically carry particl'es'ofpowderedmaterial therefrom, and a felt barrier to control the rateof-air-fiow into the container and consequently its effectiveness tocarry the powdered material from the container.-

8. In combination with a part within which a partial vacuum may beestablished, means to introduce powdered material into saidpart-inresponse to the effect of vacuum therein comprising, a containerto hold asupply of thepowdered" material, said container having an inletand an outlet, means to connect the outlet of the container with saidpart whereby the eifectof vacuum within said part ismanifestedwithin'the container to induce a flow of air into the inletthereof which flow of air carries-the pow-- dered material intosaidpart, and a felt barrier at the inlet of the container to govern'theflow of air into the container and consequently the how of powderedmaterial into said part.

9. Means for introducing dry powdered material into an internalcombustion engine part within which a partial vacuum is establishedbyengine suction, comprising a container to hold a supply of the powderedmaterial, saidcontainer having an inlet and an outlet, means to connectthe outlet of the container with said engine part whereby the effect ofvacuum within said engine part is manifested within the container toinduce therein must pass whereby the rate of air-flow into the containerand the consequent conveyance of powdered material into the engine partis determined by the density of said felt member.

10. A device for providing controlled injection of dry powdered materialinto a chamber subjected to suction comprising, a receptacle to hold asupply of the powdered material, means to communicate the receptaclewith said chamber whereby the interior of the receptacle is likewisesubjected to suction, said receptacle having an air inlet, and a feltbarrier closing said inlet and so arranged with respect to the powderedcontents of the receptacle that air drawn through the interstices of thefelt barrier picks up particles of the dry powdered material to conveythe same through said communication into the chamber subjected tosuction.

11. A device of the character described comprising, a receptacle for drypowdered material, said receptacle having an air inlet and an outlet andan elongated felt member projected into the receptacle through the airinlet thereof and effectively closing the air inlet except for thepassages aiforded by the interstices of said felt member, said feltmember extending into the body of the dry powdered material containedwithin the receptaclewherebyIupon 'the creation of a flow ofair into thereceptacle inlet and from the receptacl'e outlet, a controlled amount ofdry powdered material 'is conveyed from the receptacle through saidoutlet.

12. A device for providing controlled injection of dry powdered materialinto the air stream of a carburetorprovided with an air inlet and an aircleaner through-which air for entrance into thecarburetor must passprior to reaching the carburetor-air inlet, said air cleaner beingreadily detachablafromthe carburetor; said device includinga'receptacl'e for thedry powdered material, and common means to mountsaid receptacle from the carburetor and communicate theinterior'thereo-fwith the passage from the air cleaner to the'carburetorcomprising, a sleeve adapted to be'interp'osed between'the air cleanerand the carburetor, and a tube connecting the sleeve and the receptacleand having open communication therewith;

13. A' device of the character described comprising, a receptacle fordry powdered material having an 'air'inlet and an outlet, a tube fixedin theoutlet'andhaving communication with the interior of thereceptacle, a mounting sleeve to the outer end of the tube and likewisehaving communication-with the tube and through it with the'interiorofthe receptacle whereby a chamber communicated with the interior of thesleeve becomes'communicated withthe interior of the receptacle so thatsuction within the sleeve induces an air-flow through the receptacle andinto the sleeve to carry powdered material from the re ceptacle into thesleeve, and'a fibrous barrier at the air inlet of the receptacle tocontrol the rate o-f flow and the volume of powdered material carriedfrom the receptacle.

l4. A device for supp-lying fine y powdered material in small quantitiescomprising, a receptacle for the powdered material, said receptaclehaving an air inlet and an outlet, the outlet including aremovable-'jetoriflce, means associated with the outlet" wherebya flowof air may be induced through the receptacleto' carry powdered materialout through said outlet, and a fibrcus oarrier'closing the inlet' todetermine the rate airflow and consequently its effectiveness.

15. A device ofthe character described coinpiising' a receptacle adaptedto contain a supply of dry powdered material to be pneumaticallyconveyed from the receptacle, said receptacle having an inlet and anoutlet, means associated with the outlet whereby an air-flow may beinduced through the receptacle to carry the powdered material therefrom,an elongated felt member extending into the receptacle and closing theair inlet thereof whereby the density of the felt .member governs therate of air-flow through the receptacle and consequently itseifectiveness, a cover to close the receptacle, and common means to holdthe cover closed and maintain the felt member in position.

16. In a device of the character described, a receptacle for powderedmaterial to be pneumatically conveyed therefrom, said receptacle havingan inlet and an outlet, means associated with the outlet whereby anair-flow may be induced through the receptacle to carry the powderedmaterial therefrom, and an elongated tapered felt member inserted intothe receptacle through the inlet to afford a barrier to govern the rateof air-flow through the receptacle and consequently its effectiveness tocarry the powdered material therefrom, the tapered shape of the feltmember affording means for determining "the density of its portiondisposed within the inlet by forcing the same further into the inlet.

17. A device of the character described com-I prising, an uprightreceptacle ,for powdered material to be conveyed pneumatically from thereceptacle, said receptacle having an inlet at its lower portion and anoutlet at its upper portion, a tube disposed within the outlet andextending across the interior of the receptacle with one end closed by awall of the receptacle and its other end open for communication with achamber into which the powdered material is to be conveyed,-

a removable jet orifice carried by the tube within the receptacle tocommunicate the interior of the receptacle with the tube whereby theeffect.

of suction within said chamber is manifested within the receptacle toinduce an air flow through the receptacle and into the tube to carry drypowdered material into the tube and consequently into the chamber, and afelt barrier wedged in the inlet of the receptacle so that air must passthrough the interstices of the barrier to enter the receptacle. andwhereby the density of the felt barrier determines the rate of air-flowand consequently its efiectiveness.

18. A device of the character described comprising, an uprightreceptacle adapted to contain a supply of dry powdered material to beconveyed pneumatically to a chamber, said receptacle having an inlet atits lower portion and an outlet near its upper portion, a tube fixed inthe outlet, a removable jet orifice carried by the tube and affordingcommunication between the tube and the interior of the receptaclewhereby the degree of communication is determined by the size of theorifice of said jet, means to connect the other end of the tube with thechamber into which the powdered material is to be conveyed whereby theeffect of suction within said, chamber is manifested through the tubewithin the receptacle to induce an air flow through the receptacle andthe tube into the chamber to carry powdered material into the chamber,an elongated felt member projected up into the interior of thereceptacle through the inlet at its lower portion whereby said feltmember projects up into the supply of powdered material within thereceptacle and closes the air inlet except for the interstices throughthe felt and whereby the density of the felt. member determines the rateof air-flow through the receptacle and consequently its effectiveness tocarry powdered material from the receptacle.

19. A device for supplying dry powdered mate- 5 rial in small quantitiescomprising a receptacle to hold a supply of the dry powdered material,said receptacle having a port through which the material may be drawnfrom the receptacle by suction and having an opening for the admissionof air, and a fibrous barrier closing said opening except for thepassages formed by its interstices to control the rate of flow of airinto the receptacle and consequently the rate of fiow of the materialfrom the receptacle.

20. In a device for supplying dry powdered material in small quantities,a receptacle to hold a supply of powdered material, said receptaclehaving a port through which the material may be drawn from thereceptacle by suction and having an opening for the admission of airinto the receptacle, and a fibrous member closing said opening andextending up into the body of dry powdered material with its upper endprojecting from the surface of the powdered material so that airentering the receptacle must flow through the interstices of the fibrousmember to reach the upper layer of powdered material which is picked upby the air and conveyed to said port.

21. In a device for supplying finely powdered material in smallquantities, a receptacle to hold a supply of powdered material, meanswhereby a flow of air may be induced through the receptacle to carryparticles of the powdered material from the receptacle, and a. fibrousmember through the interstices of which the air must pass to enter thereceptacle, said fibrous member extending up through the body of thepowdered material so that the velocity of the air flowing through thereceptacle to convey the powdered material therefrom is dependent uponthe distance the air must pass through the. fibrous member to reach theupper layer of powdered material which distance is in turn governed bythe depth of the powdered material so that the velocity increases as thereceptacle empties to compensate for the greater distance the powderedmaterial must be carried to the outlet opening.

CARL R. ROLEN. 0

